Statistics show that despite the US naval blockade, Iran’s oil exports to China have remained steady, reaching an average of 985,000 barrels per day in the first half of April.
Iran has managed to circumvent restrictions imposed in the Strait of Hormuz by using the port of Jask. Located in the Gulf of Oman, this port allows tankers to load oil and enter international waters directly without needing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz – a development that has ensured the continuity of energy exports to China.Between April 13 and 22, the data analytics firm Vortexa recorded 35 instances of ships crossing through the US blockade zone, involving voyages by vessels linked to Iran or under sanctions. These operations allowed at least 10.7 million barrels of Iranian crude oil to transit the Strait of Hormuz.During the same week, the Iranian government solidified its control over the Strait of Hormuz by collecting the first transit tolls, with those revenues being deposited into the Central Bank of Iran.Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, stressed that Iran will not allow other countries to freely use the waterway while its own exports face restrictions.Under the new terms set by Tehran, only commercial vessels that have previously obtained permission from Iran will be allowed passage, while ships linked to the US, Israel, and other hostile nations are excluded from the route.